Sunday Special | EP 2

Hi, Friends!

It's Sunday morning, and we are worshipping with you in spirit and in love! We hope you got the link to the second "Liturgy for the Living Room" from John Jay and that you are finding your own ways to create a new rhythm on Sunday mornings. 

Pastor Mary and I are excited to bring you a new video today! It's all about building an altar, which is just a fancy way of describing a special place to hang out with God and pray. We think prayer and hanging out with God are going to be pretty important these days, and we looked at the story of Abraham in Genesis 12 for those who want to do some further reading. In Abraham's case, God called him to go somewhere new and trust that God was doing a great work in all of the uncertainty. We aren't going anywhere physically, but we are in a new kind of "place" in our lives. So, we are thinking about the ways God is calling us to trust that He is still working in this strange time. And in all of it, we are going to pray and hang out with God!

After you watch the video, you and your family members can use the following discussion prompts and activities to apply the lesson—woot!

Talk It Out

  • Recap: Why did Abraham build altars, and why might we build an altar?

  • Check In With Yourself: How are you feeling? What do you want to talk to God about in prayer?

  • Wonder: What are you wondering right now as you think about building an altar? 

Apply It

Ways you can build an altar to hang out with God:

  • Gather your Bible and maybe a comfy blanket.

  • Make a prayer chain by cutting strips of paper, writing down prayer requests on each strip, and gluing/taping/stapling them together. Then use it to help you pray to God. Don't forget to include praises!

  • Use sticky notes or notecards to write down some prayers. Post them somewhere so you can see them and pray. 

  • Use blocks or legos to build a prayer and blessing tower. As you add a block/lego, pray for something/someone and watch your prayers stack up!

  • Use a flashlight, lamp, or a candle (with adult supervision!) to help you settle into a special time with God.

  • Find some rocks from outside and use a marker to write down things you want to pray about. When you're hanging out at your altar, pick one stone up at a time and pray over that specific request. 

Remember, you can talk to God about anything anytime! You can tell God how you feel, what you need, and anything else that is on your mind. And don't forget that thanking God can help us feel more calm and happy inside. 

We are praying for you! Please remember to email/call/text with any prayer requests you have.  We love you and can’t wait to be with you again.

Sending so much love,

Pastors Lindsay and Mary

John Jay and Ruthie

Today is normally my sabbath. I am going to have to reimagine what that means. Also, we all need a little less 24/7 news. It is okay to turn the noise off every once in a while.

My daughter Ruthie joins me to talk about Sunday anticipation and preparations, plus life now that school is suspended and everything happens at home.

John Jay and Bri

Today was a sprint for our staff as we wrapped up a lot of work for our Sunday Liturgy For the Living Room. Here is a message from me (Pastor John Jay) for your daily encouragement. My heart strains toward yours in this season. Hold steady friends. We are in this together.

New church friend Bri Johnson delivers a comforting and thoughtful message for our community around needs, loss of control and the fragile ways God made us. Really lovely.

FBCP Families | Weekday Wonders 1

Hi, Friends!

I'm writing to you knowing that parents have had a lot of extra stuff on their plates in the last week. These moments call us to use new muscles and be pioneers on the fly, and I know that you are already doing such a fantastic job! There are countless big and little ways you have been courageous and loving and flexible for your families. I hope you take a minute to breathe and take a time out for you as best you can. On that note, there are lots of links in this post—if they are overwhelming, then skip them! As long as you hear that you are loved and that we are standing by to help with any needs, that's what is most important.

Without further ado, here are some weekday wonders we are excited to share with you!

new wonders

thriving at home

We have a new resource page on our website that will continue to evolve and expand. For now it is mostly online sources, but starting next week we will be adding new content made by members of our church family. That's right—homemade stuff just for you! Please let me know if there are types of resources you want or need and if you have any you want to share.

Faith Formation at Home

Here is a wonderful faith resource for you to use at home this week. It has a beautiful reflection and some discussion questions on Psalm 23, a coloring sheet and activities to help reflect further on the psalm, and a guided lectio divina section. So good!

Penguin Party

If you need a little diversion, check out the fun these penguins had when the zoo shut down. That's right—there were penguins running free at the Shedd Aquarium! 

Sunday 

It’s almost time for another Sunday Special! This coming Sunday, Pastor Mary and I are sharing a video about how kids (and adults!) can make a special place in the home to hang out with God. We hope you will join us (and Brody!) in the orange tent for some creative ways to build an altar. You can always check out previous Sunday worship stuff at this page on our website.

Youth Hangout! 

We miss our youth TERRIBLY! So, our middle and high school youth are invited to join us for a Zoom call on Sunday at 12PM. That's as close to our regular Sunday hangout as we can get right now, so we hope you will join us. (Word on the street is that Chip may join us, too!) If you need a Zoom tutorial, Pastor Lindsay will be sending out more information about how to sign up and get plugged in. Here is the meeting link in case you are already super savvy with Zoom.

Connection Corner

Parent Hangout!

We are going to use zoom to host a time for parents to hang out and check in (and see your beautiful faces!). We will host some kid meetings later, but we wanted to begin by getting the parent community connected. The first one will be next Wednesday, March 25th at  2PM. If that time doesn't work, no worries! We will host more and vary the time to help make it easy for you to opt in. If you need a Zoom tutorial, Pastor Lindsay will be sending out more information about how to sign up and get plugged in. Here is the meeting link in case you are already super savvy with Zoom. We hope to see you there! 

A word from Tasha

Tasha, our fearless leader in the nursery, has a special video message for you. Check it out here! If you want to reach out to her, you can call or text her at 661.208.5470.

Keep In Touch (safely!)

Pastor Mary and I will continue to reach out to families and make sure you have  what you need, but we are always a phone call, text, or email away! We can pray, tell you a joke, figure out a way to get you supplies, entertain your child so you can drink some coffee—whatever you need. You also will be hearing from someone else in the church who is one of our Connection Team leaders, and they are eager to come alongside you, too. 

Sending you so much love and virtual hugs!

With great affection and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay Pastor Mary

916.716.7545 626.222.7440



John Jay and Harlan

These days are tough, and we are right there with you in it. This message mentions a couple of ways to stay connected, and you can use the buttons below to start that process.

Our good friend Harlan sent me an audio message of encouragement and challenge. And in classic Harlan form, he pushes us to consider our neighbors who are out vulnerable.

John Jay, Gretchen and Tom

Today was quite a reset from yesterday, which really means that each day is unpredictable in a way that makes my emotions fluctuate wildly. Yours too I bet. Also, God shows up in small but profound ways. Love you all. Miss you. -Pastor John Jay

Pastor Gretchen shares from her personal experience about living alone in the days of physical distancing and isolation. There are some brilliant ideas in here. Pastor Gretchen will continue to share from her experiences and learning throughout this season.

Tom and Becky Hale were part of our church while he studied at Fuller last year. They were a dear part of our community, and I asked him to share some thoughts from what he is seeing across the world. It is great to hear his voice.

John Jay, Lindsay & Ken

Pastor John Jay talks about plans for our church moving forward, and also how to handle the Adjustment Reaction transition during a crisis. Bottom line: be patient with your own reactions, and allow yourself time to adjust to this time of struggle. It is normal. You are having a normal reaction. And we are here with you. Much love.

Pastor Lindsay helps us understand how to prepare without panicking, and why hoarding is counterproductive. Also, this audio is given in an especially calming voice, which is sort of everything these days.

In this audio you hear Ken talk about generosity in a time of hoarding. If you have extra to share, let us know and we will get you connected to someone who needs it. If you need something we might have in excess, let us know and we will do our best to be responsive. Our fear is in proportion to our aloneness. And we want to make sure that none of you are alone, even as you are isolated in body.

 
 

Sunday Special | ep1

Hi, Friends!

It's Sunday morning, and we are thinking of you big time! We hope you got the link to the first Liturgy for the Living Room from John Jay—it's a beautiful recording of all the meaningful elements in a worship service so that you can experience church in your home. 

In lieu of our regular kid programming, Pastor Mary and I are providing a video with a short Bible lesson that complements John Jay's teaching on Envy. This week our "story" is actually this cool thing called a proverb, which is a little piece of awesome advice in the Bible.

After you watch the video, then you and your family members can use the discussion prompts and activities to apply the lesson (scroll down to find those). We hope they are helpful and fun!


Talk It Out

  • Recap: What does envy look like right now in this season of the coronavirus?

  • Check In With Yourself: How are you experiencing a longing for the past or the future right now? 

  • Wonder: What are you wondering right now as you think about this lesson? Share it with your family/friends.

Apply It 

  • Gratitude helps us find peace in the present. Have everyone take a turn sharing what they are grateful for about each person in your family today

  • Helping out can also give us some peace if we are anxious. On a piece of paper, have everyone write one way they want to help out around the house during this time when we are going to be home more often. Then high five each other when you follow through with your commitment!

  • Take some time to think about your house and all that it provides for you. Try not to think about what you wish your house was like (don't envy!). Instead, appreciate the space you have. To help you do that, draw a map of your house. In each section, write down what you most love about that space or what it provides for you. You could even give nicknames to each room or make your favorite rooms bigger—get creative! Post the map somewhere to remind you to be grateful for your home when you get cabin fever.

  • God created Adam by breathing into him, so breathing reminds us that we need God and that God is as close as our breath. Try a breathing exercise to help you focus on the present moment and restore peacefulness. You can do these anytime, anywhere.

Shoulder Shrugs:  Roll your shoulders back and down so they are away from your ears. Breathe deeply in through your nose as you raise your shoulders up by your ears. Breathe out and lower your shoulders. Repeat movement 3-5 times and feel the tension melt away.

Darth Vader Breath: Breathe deeply in and out while exhaling strongly through an open mouth.

Ocean Waves: Close your eyes and imagine you are an ocean wave. Breathe in and out deeply as if you are an ocean wave washing on the beach. Alternate the frequency of your breath to become shorter and longer waves.


Happy Sunday and much love to all of you! Stay tuned for more fun stuff coming at you this week.

With love and virtual hugs,

Pastors Lindsay and Mary




Special Updates for Families at FBCP

Hi, Friends!

I hope you had a chance to read John Jay's letter about how we will continue to "do church" even in the midst of suspending our usual Sunday morning gatherings. You and your kids have been on my mind extra the last few days, and I am writing with so many emotions as I think of you. I'm sad, of course, that we won't be together in person on Sunday (it's my favorite day because of our gathering!). I'm also grateful for you and our church family, knowing that we get to go through this in community. And I have increasing joy and excitement about the creative ways we can come alongside one another. Today's email is meant to explain what you can expect from me and Pastor Mary in the coming days and weeks, so read on for all the details!

Sunday Specials 

Starting tomorrow, everyone will receive an audio church service in place of our usual Sunday gathering. Though there is no substitute for our physical presence together,  I promise it will offer its own beauty and meaning. I hope you and your family and friends can take time to listen and interact with it together.

You will also receive a video Bible lesson for kids to watch and some suggested discussion and activities you can do right in the home to go along with the lesson (which will match the theme of John Jay's preaching). It is our hope that these Sunday resources provide fun ways for you and your kids to engage with your faith and one another at home (and we are super pumped to make meaningful and silly content to share!).  

Weekday Wonders

Outside of Sunday, I will also be sharing other types of resources for you to use with kids during the week, especially since schools have closed. We want to provide all we can to help you create moments of joy, rest, learning, and fun, and we want kids to be able to experience God's presence and love in new ways during the weeks ahead. In short, we want you to thrive in the home in this season, so we are working hard to help you do just that!

Connection Captains

And, most importantly, we will be checking in on you to see how you are doing, share a word of love and encouragement, and assess any needs you have so we can try to help meet them. We are your church family, and we are eager to live out that special calling. For now, please let me know if you have any pressing needs or questions. We are standing by to take your calls, texts, emails, letters carried by animals (who knew?!)—whatever method you prefer! For reals, connection is most important right now, so don't hesitate to reach out. 

One Last Thing

This brief pause in regular Sunday gatherings is its own kind of fast. But it's also the perfect opportunity to have conversations with kids (and adults!) about what "church" really is. We love our church building, and it's truly special. But "being the church" is not about a building; it's about embodying the love of Christ and pursuing God together, in community, as a family. So that's what we are doing as best we can. If you catch anyone in your home saying something like "church is canceled," make sure you clarify that, though a specific gathering may not be happening, church is never canceled. We will keep being the church—and that is such good news! 

Sending you so much love and virtual hugs!



FBCP Families | 10

Hi, Friends!

I hope the beautiful day outside reminds you of God's presence and goodness. As we adjust to the reality of the coronavirus spreading, it's easy to become either anxious or frustrated with those who are anxious. We are blessed to be in community as a church family, which means there is another way through a circumstance such as this. We can choose to care for one another with compassion, reminding each other of the peace we have in Christ while following reasonable best practices to help keep each other healthy. Stay connected, be wise, and breathe. This is the invitation we extend to you at FBCP. 

In our kid rooms, we will follow these precautions in the coming weeks:

  • All kids and leaders will wash their hands when they arrive at their classes as well as before their snack, and leaders will serve snacks on individual plates. We also have hand sanitizer available in all nursery and kid rooms.

  • We are taking a break from using play dough and play sand. 

  • Tables, counters, and toys will be wiped down with disinfectant before and after classes (as usual).

  • Youth Group will continue to have individual lunches and wash hands before eating.

  • As an addition to our greeting options, we will offer an elbow bump to kids.

  • We will remind kids how to sneeze/cough into their elbow region instead of their hands

On that note, if you have kids who are home because of school closures, you might want to check out some enriching STEM activities to do at home. Lots of these activities require basic supplies around the house and make great use of the outdoors!

Nursery - Elementary

This Sunday our kids will be learning about the parable of the sower. We are excited for them to think about plants and flowers and soil and growth and beauty—and how they are connected to all of those! I pray that we all would be like good soil as we receive a teaching from God on Sunday.  

Family Discussion Starters:

  • Which type of soil in the parable do you most relate to?

  • Why do you think Jesus chose seeds and growth as a way to teach about people?

  • What are some things you want to do in order to be like the good soil?

  • What might God be planting in you right now?

Prayer: Lord, help us to receive your word so that we can grow in love and become more like you.

Children's Choir 

Children's Choir will continue to worship and prepare for Palm Sunday during their regular Sunday school hour. You can help your child learn the songs by playing these videos at home or in the car: "Rejoice the King is Coming" and "Cloaks and Branches." You can check out this lyric sheet for "Rejoice the King is Coming." We are so excited for them to lead us in worship this spring!

Youth

This Sunday we will have our regular time of food, fun, and conversation with our youth right after worship service. Youth who serve in our children's ministry will attend a special lunch and training which ends at 2PM. Either way, lunch is provided!

For Good Measure

Practicing Lent with Loved Ones

We have a fun booklet full of daily devotions and activities to build up love in your circles of family and friends. Make sure you get one on Sunday from the desk in the lobby. Here's to a meaningful and intentional season of Lent as we prepare our hearts for all that the cross and the resurrection hold for us!

Good or Bad — Hard to Say

I stumbled upon this Ted Talk by a parent who has learned a new way of seeing good and bad, especially when it comes to her child who was born with disabilities. It's heartwarming, funny, and a compelling invitation to be more open to the full complexity of ourselves and others when society is quick to call us good or bad, which of course are incomplete labels. If you need a little something to give you a new perspective and make you smile, give it a watch—it's a good one.

Have a blessed weekend, and I hope to see you Sunday morning!


Wonderful Weekly | 10

Coronavirus updates

As we adjust to the reality of the coronavirus spreading, it's easy to become either anxious or frustrated with those who are anxious. We are blessed to be in community as a church family, which means there is another way through a circumstance such as this. We can choose to care for one another with compassion, reminding each other of the peace we have in Christ while following reasonable best practices to help keep each other healthy. Stay connected, be wise, and breathe. This is the invitation we extend to you at FBCP. 

To that end, we want to make sure everyone is in the loop about potential disruptions to church gatherings and programming. So before you do anything else, click the button below and make sure you are signed up to receive text updates. This is the best way to keep you in the loop. Seriously, click that button and sign up! Over the next few days we will be sharing more related to this emerging pandemic. For now, here are the most important practices you can adopt immediately:

  • Wash your hands all the time and with vigor. Count to 20 and get all the cracks and crevices. Use hand sanitizer if you cannot get to a sink.

  • Do not touch your face, mouth or eyes. I know it is hard to resist, but you must.

  • If you are sick, stay home and skip public gatherings. If you are very sick, call your doctor or urgent care.

We expect there to be disruptions to normal life over the next few weeks as the virus spreads. Be prepared, not anxious. This little explainer is a good place to start on how to get ready. More soon. Sign up for text updates right away so you don’t miss any messages. Love to you all, and blessings in this time of uncertainty. God is surely with us.

-Pastor John Jay

It’s week #10

Spring Forward! Don’t be late to church on Sunday. Remember to set your clocks ahead by one hour before going to bed on Saturday night.

Second Sunday in March and the sixth Sunday of our new sermon series, The Seven Deadly Sins. Read to the end, or skip there if you want to see a snapshot of our upcoming events.

Sunday Worship

Our good friend and long time pastor Ken Fong will be preaching this Sunday. He will be teaching on the sin of sloth, and based on our conversations you are in for a treat. Worship is at 10:30 am.

Lent

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent in the church calendar. These 40 days are meant to focus our hearts on the work of the Cross and the shock of resurrection. Many of you will take up practices like fasting to better hone your attention. We have a booklet of activities and reflections to do with friends and family, and you can pick that up on Sunday. The last week of Lent is Holy Week, and we will be sharing a special immersive experience for you to join either on Maundy Thursday, April 9, or Good Friday, April 10. Using the last phrases of Christ, we will invite participants to walk these immersive rooms as a way to experience Holy Week in a new way. This will be part meditation, part art exhibit, and part embodied liturgy. We will open up online signups on March 23 with various 20-minute time slots between 5:30 pm-8:00 pm each evening. In order to keep the experience meaningful and intimate, we will be limiting group sizes to 10 people per walkthrough. If you have never attended an immersive event like this in a spiritual setting, the closest experience would be something like an art exhibit that envelops the viewer in the themes. For now, save these dates and be on the lookout for a signup link coming soon!

FBCP Holy Land

Exciting news! We are in the very early stages of planning a 10-14 day trip to the Holy Land in 2022 for FBCP members and friends. Please email Holly Earle if you are interested in learning more about this excursion. We will be gathering in March to begin to iron out the details.

 

FBCP Families | 9

Hi, Friends!

I'm writing to you from Nashville, where I'm attending a conference on spiritual practices tonight and tomorrow. I'm hoping to have some fun things to share with you when I return.

This Sunday we have a full service with communion, a baby dedication, kids in service, and a teaching on gluttony. I can't wait! I hope you enjoy your weekend and this year's Leap Day. Kidspace in Pasadena is having a fun Leap Day event if you're looking for something to do with kids. See you soon!

Nursery - Elementary

This Sunday kids in TK and above can join us in the sanctuary for worship. We are excited to have their presence with us, especially as we dedicate baby Eloise! The nursery kiddos can head to their usual room for a fun time of play and Bible lesson. 

Family Discussion Starters:

  • What does "gluttony" mean?

  • Why do you think that gluttony is a sin?

  • What are some ways that we can experience God's love in feasting?

  • What's a favorite memory you have of eating with loved ones?

Prayer: Lord, show us how to experience you when we eat and give thanks together.

Children's Choir 

Children's Choir will continue to worship and prepare for Palm Sunday during their regular Sunday school hour. You can help your child learn the songs by playing these videos at home or in the car: "Rejoice the King is Coming" and "Cloaks and Branches." You can check out this lyric sheet for "Rejoice the King is Coming." We are so excited for them to lead us in worship this spring!

Youth

This Sunday we will have our regular time of food, fun, and conversation with our youth right after worship service. All youth are invited to come early to help set up communion between 9:30-10:00. 

Depression and Anxiety in Youth

Parents and guardians of youth, be on the lookout for an email from me regarding resources about anxiety and depression in teens. We are going to begin having some deeper conversations with our high schoolers in the coming months, and we welcome your questions and any resources you have, too. Here is one article from the Fuller Youth Institute that has some good information and tips about talking to your teen about depression.

For Good Measure

Practicing Lent with Loved Ones

We have a fun booklet full of devotions and activities that you can do with friends and family during the 40 days of Lent. Make sure you get one on Sunday from the desk in the lobby. Here's to a meaningful and intentional season of Lent as we prepare our hearts for all that the cross and the resurrection hold for us! Let me know if you need extra copies for a neighbor.

Art Night in Pasadena is almost here!

Mark your calendars for Friday, March 13th. It's Pasadena's annual Art Night, and that means lots of fun things to do with friends, family, and kids. Enjoy a free (yes, free!) evening of art, music and entertainment as Pasadena’s most prominent arts and cultural institutions swing open their doors. You can check out this brochure for a map and different events going on that night.

Have a blessed weekend, and I hope to see you Sunday morning!

-Pastor Lindsay

Wonderful Weekly | 9

It’s week #9

First Sunday in March and the fifth Sunday of our new sermon series, The Seven Deadly Sins. Read to the end, or skip there if you want to see a snapshot of our upcoming events.

Sunday Worship

This first Sunday of the month is full of goodness. Communion, a family dedication, a teaching on gluttony, singing, high fives, prayer…all the stuff. Worship is at 10:30 am.

Lent

On Wednesday we gathered in the Chapel for our Ash Wednesday worship service. This service marks the beginning of the season of Lent in the church calendar. This 40 days is meant to focus our hearts on the work of the Cross and the shock of resurrection. Many of you will take up practices like fasting to better hone your attention. We have a booklet of activities and reflections to do with friends and family, and you can pick that up on Sunday. The last week of Lent is Holy Week, and we will be sharing a special immersive experience during the Thursday and Friday before Easter. More details next week so stay tuned.

FBCP Holy Land

Exciting news! We are in the very early stages of planning a 10-14 day trip to the Holy Land in 2022 for FBCP members and friends. Please email Holly Earle if you are interested in learning more about this excursion. We will be gathering in March to begin to iron out the details.

Becoming Benedictions

Expect to see more happening in this space about how we are trying to becoming blessings to the world for the sake of Heaven. A couple of weeks back we gathered a group of people to continue exploring the work of Becoming Benedictions. This last Tuesday Pastor Gretchen joined an interfaith group of folks to visit the Adelanto Detention Center (more precisely, this is a prison facility). Friends of ours in the area have been visiting people caught in our broken immigration system and looking for ways to partner with these men and women in scary and dangerous situations. We are exploring meaningful ways to get involved in this work.

You will also be seeing information about ways to help the upcoming national Census. We are partnering with LA Voice to help our church family get to 100% census participation within our congregation. Some of you might wonder why this work is crucial for churches like ours. Because the census data affects how resources are dispersed for things like affordable housing and public education, it is important that everyone is seen and accounted for. However, there are increased efforts to undermine the accuracy of the census, particularly for Immigrants and communities of color. At FBCP we believe in the foundational dignity of every person and encourage everyone to risk being seen and known in that dignity. We pray that each of you carries your sacred worth into the world with confidence. We will be providing education and guidance for the process. If you or someone you know is afraid of participating in the Census for whatever reason, find one of your pastors and let us help you with the process in a safe and secure way.

 

FBCP Families | 8

Hi, Friends!

I pray that you are enjoying the beautiful weather and getting a chance to step outside. Brody had a nice little crawl session in the church park the other day, so he definitely loves this California sunshine. 

I hope you can join us for the Mardi Gras potluck on Sunday! Our potlucks are always an intergenerational experience where we get to enjoy one another and worship God by having fun together. Who knew there was so much theology in the practice of potlucks?  It's also our chance to feast and fellowship before we head into a contemplative season of Lent with Ash Wednesday next week. Join us for all of it!

Nursery - Elementary

This Sunday the kids will be learning about the time when Jesus was sleeping during a giant storm. What a silly Jesus! We are excited for our kids to think deeply about Jesus' choice to nap in the middle of a crisis and to uncover what God is teaching us through that moment. Perhaps Jesus was not the silly one in the story after all. 

Family Discussion Starters:

  • Why do you think Jesus chose to sleep at such a scary time?

  • What did you learn about the character of Jesus in this story?

  • What would you have done at that moment if you were one of the disciples?

  • Have you ever felt like God was asleep during a time you needed help? What does this story teach you about those times?

Prayer: Lord, help us to have faith and confidence in you even when we are afraid.

Children's Choir 

Children's Choir will continue to worship and prepare for Palm Sunday during their regular Sunday school hour. You can help your child learn the songs by playing these videos at home or in the car: "Rejoice the King is Coming" and "Cloaks and Branches." You can check out this lyric sheet for "Rejoice the King is Coming." We are so excited for them to lead us in worship this spring!


Youth

This Sunday the youth will join us all at our Mardi Gras potluck after worship. We hope this will be a fun intergenerational time of fellowship, food, and joy!

Parents of youth, feel free to send me information if we can attend a competition, event, or performance with or in support of your youth! 


For Good Measure

A Better Dinner Conversation with Family and Friends

I stumbled upon this article about how to connect at a family gathering by Priya Parker and watched her short Ted Talk. Her ideas definitely challenged me to think about how to create space for more connection and meaning in the everyday gatherings (and in the special ones!). I thought you might find it interesting, too. Here's to making the most of our conversations and creating space for transformation in them. 

Screens and Teens

On Tuesday, February 25, I am going to attend a screening of a new documentary called Screenagers: The Next Chapter. It's about how screen time affects our teens, and it will be followed by a discussion panel featuring local therapists who specialize in these types of issues. If you want to join me, you can RSVP here (it's free!). If you can't make the screening but want to learn more, stay tuned for a future gathering where we can discuss the topic together. Many thanks to Grace Goodman for passing on the event information!

Have a blessed weekend, and I hope to see you Sunday morning!

Wonderful Weekly | 8

It’s week #8

Last Sunday in February and the fourth Sunday of our new sermon series, The Seven Deadly Sins. Read to the end, or skip there if you want to see a snapshot of our upcoming events.

Sunday Worship

Greed. Avarice. Late Stage Capitalism. Call it what you want, and for this sin none of us is off the hook. How could we be, given that we live in the richest country in the world? Greed is encoded into every aspect of our culture, as it is built for consumption rather than flourishing. This teaching will explore the words of Jesus and Paul, as well as advertising models, growth curves, and the limits of how much we can carry before our neighbor suffers. Worship is at 10:30am.

Memorial Service for Roger Moon

We received notice that member Roger Moon passed away on January 16. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 22, at 2:00 pm. The service will be held at Rialto United Methodist Church, 1230 N Lilac Avenue, Rialto, CA, 92376. Condolences may be sent to his daughter, Lisa Moon, 619 E Washington Blvd #15, Pasadena, CA, 91104.

Mardi Gras Potluck this Sunday

FBCP loves potlucks, Pastor John Jay loves Mardi Gras (he is from New Orleans, after all), so why not combine these joys into a meal the Sunday before Lent begins? Prepare a dish to share and plan to stay after worship for a big celebration. Expect king cakes and snoballs because of course we will have those wonderful treats. Check out the event below for more info.

Gratitude Beads

Corrie created a gift for our community to go along with our generosity teachings in January. These Gratitude Beads will be available on Sunday at the Welcome Desk. They are very thoughtfully made and presented. Thanks, Corrie, for the labor of love.

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Footnotes | Wrath

From time to time, we share the footnotes that were gathered to create the teachings. There is so much good stuff related to wrath that it merits its own post. You might want to start below with the audio of the teaching from Sunday. A big thanks to my friend and colleague Curt Lowndes for joining me in the conversation.

The images from Sunday

Wonderful Weekly | 7

It’s week #7

Third Sunday in February and the third Sunday of our new sermon series, The Seven Deadly Sins. Also, make sure you scroll to the bottom where the EVENTS are listed. There is a ton of cool stuff coming up this season at FBCP…

Sunday Worship

RAGE! WRATH! LA TRAFFIC!!! You get it. Anger is up this week for our walk through the classic seven deadly sins. This week will be a shorter teaching with a special response conversation with me (Pastor John Jay) and my good friend Curt Lowndes. Curt is a pastor in Durham at The Gathering Church where we both served while at Duke Divinity. We do these improvisational discussions every once in a while at FBCP. The idea is to offer a looser structure within which a living theology can emerge. Often there is this false notion that theology is the realm of the scholar or preacher, and only engaged with after hours of study. I am much more interested in the way that theology is responsive to lived experience, which is never predictable or tame. So join us on Sunday as we talk through anger while trying to not lose our cool. Worship is at 10:30am.

Memorial Service for Roger Moon

We received notice this week that member Roger Moon passed away on January 16. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 22, at 2:00 pm. The service will be held at Rialto United Methodist Church, 1230 N Lilac Avenue, Rialto, CA, 92376. Condolences may be sent to his daughter, Lisa Moon, 619 E Washington Blvd #15, Pasadena, CA, 91104.

Mardi Gras Potluck on February 23

FBCP loves potlucks, Pastor John Jay loves Mardi Gras (he is from New Orleans, after all), so why not combine these joys into a meal the Sunday before Lent begins? Prepare a dish to share and plan to stay after worship for a big celebration. Expect king cakes and snoballs because of course, we will have those wonderful treats. Check out the event below for more info.

Gratitude Beads

Corrie created a gift for our community to go along with our generosity teachings in January. These Gratitude Beads will be available on Sunday at the Welcome Desk. They are very thoughtfully made and presented. Thanks, Corrie, for the labor of love.

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In Pasadena as it is in Heaven

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